Perhaps for acid reflux symptoms, especially heartburn, the age-old adage crediting an apple a day with keeping the doctor away might ring true. For, contrary to popular opinion, acid reflux is not simply caused by too much acid in the stomach. What?s more, for frequent or severe symptoms, popping antacids or taking prescription drugs is unlikely to bring lasting relief in the form of a cure.

Heartburn occurs when stomach juices containing acid move upwards into the esophagus, the tube connecting throat and stomach. When the sphincter muscle at the tube?s base relaxes or fails to close tightly behind food passing into the stomach, digestive acids can reverse direction; moving upward, they create searing, burning pain equated with being on fire, hence the term heartburn. Frequent occurrences not only damage the esophagus, but the cumulative effects begin to sabotage everyday activities, including restful sleep. As these symptoms often inspire scurrying for pharmaceutical relief, over- the- counter and by prescription, sometimes with unwanted side-effects, examining some natural approaches makes sense.

Increasingly, results indicate that making dietary and lifestyle changes may greatly relieve symptoms, but more importantly perhaps, provide the basis for curing a grave problem. Indeed, when pronounced heartburn occurs more than twice a week, it is diagnosed as the more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, for short. Thus, an apple in place of an Rx may prove important in finding solutions for various forms of acid reflux plaguing over 40% of American adults.

Diet alterations, an easy place to begin, comprise a significant natural treatment option for reducing heartburn symptoms. Not only are there certain foods to avoid, but also tried-and- true tips for when and how to eat the preferred selections. Instead of skipping meals, then wolfing down super-sized ones, 4 or 5 evenly-spaced small meals seem more suited to preventing an overfilled stomach. Big meals, conversely, contribute to increased stomach volume and pressure that may cause acidic contents to splash upwards towards the esophagus. When big meals are unavoidable, nevertheless, putting space between them and bedtime is best.

Most importantly, a high-fiber diet should be the mainstay of reflux sufferers. With whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, primarily unprocessed plant-foods, the focus of their eating regimes, sufferers are 20% less likely to experience acid reflux symptoms, regardless of body weight. That is certainly one promising reason to eat more apples.

On the other hand, high-fat dairy products and meats like ice cream and hamburgers, extremely irritating and acid forming, should be avoided. Choose instead such items as turkey, skim-milk, low-fat yogurt and cheese. Likewise, greasy, peppery, or fried concoctions which weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle and permit the upward movement of stomach acids are unworthy choices. Additional muscle-weakening foods from which to abstain include chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, alcohol. In terms of beverages, drinking water at meal?s end dilutes and washes down any wayward stomach acids. Conversely, alcoholic drinks, coffee of all sorts, caffeinated tea, and colas may incite heartburn because of their tendency to increase stomach acid content; and juices in the tomato or citrus families can irritate an already damaged esophagus. Sodas, likewise, are poor choices; they bloat the abdomen, creating undue stomach pressure causing acids to splash upwards, the opposite direction desired.

Finally, while dietary changes often reduce the problem, they won’t cure acid reflux for good. That is where some other proven natural methods, not expensive symptom-masking drugs, might be worth a try. Undoubtedly, though, a better diet is integral to being in control of acid reflux, providing a firm foundation upon which to build its cure. After all, while alleviating symptoms is desirable, a temporary or ‘quick fix’ does not equal a lasting remedy. For more diet suggestions for acid reflux sufferers visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects millions of Americans every year, with most of them experiencing the painful symptoms at least once a month. Determining if you have acid reflux is relatively simple once you learn to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in men.

Heartburn
The painful discomfort that moves from the stomach to the middle of the abdomen and chest can also affect the throat. While it doesn?t affect your heart, the acid indigestion that causes the pain can make you feel as if your heart is on fire.

Regurgitation
If you have ever belched and found that some stomach acid moved back up into your throat or mouth, you have experienced this uncomfortable symptom. The taste can be sour or bitter, and it may contain some of your stomach contents.

Dyspepsia
General stomach pain or discomfort is referred to as dyspepsia. Burping, bloating, overly full stomach, nausea that occurs eating and upper abdominal pain are some of the symptoms.

Dysphagia
Acid reflux will gradually damage the interior of your esophagus. As this occurs, swallowing will become more difficult and can even become painful. If you have a sore throat that won?t go away, it may actually be a damaged esophagus from acid reflux.

Nausea after eating
If you find that your stomach is upset after you eat more than 20% of the time, you should make an appointment with your doctor to determine if you have acid reflux or a more serious condition.

Serious Symptoms
There are some symptoms that can indicate serious problems and should not be ignored. These include weight loss, blood seen in vomit, stools that are tarry or maroon in color, painful swallowing, wheezing, hoarseness, chronic sore throat, nausea that lasts for several days and hiccups that never stop.

Signs that it’s a Heart Attack instead of Indigestion
If you experience any of the following symptoms you should call 9-1-1 immediately as you may have having a heart attack.

• pain that is in the neck, jaw or shoulder
• shortness of breath, even if there is no chest pain
• dizziness, nausea, lightheaded feeling
• sweating at the same time the chest is hurting

Understanding Acid Reflux
Acid reflux symptoms are most likely to strike during certain circumstances. Eating a large or heavy meal can bring them on, as can bending over or trying to lift something heavy. Lying on your back can also bring the pain on. Many people find that the symptoms are more severe at night for this reason.

Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can make the reflux worse and should be avoided. These include citrus fruits and acidic vegetables, chocolate, spicy foods, garlic, onions, tomatoes, peppermint and caffeine. Avoiding these foods may help you avoid the misery of acid reflux.

For more information on acid reflux symptoms and cures be sure to download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxrememdy.com today!

Those suffering from acid reflux know that it can be a very painful condition. It is important to remember that it is possible to minimize some of the negative symptoms of this condition. Certain foods can aggravate acid reflux, increasing the pain and heartburn-like feeling of this disease. A brief summary of dietary suggestions to improve acid reflux symptoms is included below.

Eat More Frequently

Most doctors suggest that patients suffering from acid reflux avoid eating in the traditional style of three large meals a day. Instead, those with acid reflux should consume many small meals throughout the day, allowing the stomach time to digest these meals completely before eating again. Patients should also ensure that the final evening meal is consumed two to three hours before bed. Eating smaller meals reduces the amount of acid that builds up in the stomach at one time. This decreases the likelihood that the acid will back-up the esophagus, resulting in pain. Further, consuming an evening meal well before bed allows for complete digestion before sleeping, a time when many people claim that acid reflux pains are at their worst.

What to Avoid

There are foods in each food group that can cause acid reflux symptoms. Conversely, some foods actually serve to reduce gastrointestinal pressure, improving the condition. Some foods that should always be avoided include those that are high in fat or contain caffeine, chocolate, mint, or alcohol, as these ingredients may contribute to heartburn and other problems.

Grains and Produce

When choosing grains, whole grains prepared without additional fats are the best option. Multi-grain, or whole grain corn, oat, and wheat products are all good foods for those with acid reflux. Refined grain products, such as white bread or white rice, are not good choices. Most fresh vegetables are safe to eat for those with acid reflux. However, acidic vegetables, such as tomatoes, should be avoided. Additionally, deep-frying is not a safe method of preparation. Steamed or sauteed cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are all great choices. Carrots, celery, green beans, and peas are other great choices to minimize acid production. With fruits, it is again advisable to avoid those that are high in acid, such as citrus fruits and pineapple. Bananas, apples, and fresh berries are some of the best fruits to eat.

Dairy and Meat

People with acid reflux should avoid high-fat dairy products. Instead, skim milk and skim milk products are a better choice. The same is true for meat. High fat meats, such as ground beef or bacon, should be avoided. Healthier choices include fish, turkey, and skinless chicken.

While it can be difficult to live with a condition such as acid reflux, there are a number of lifestyle changes that help reduce the painful symptoms of such a disorder. Simple dietary changes, such as those listed above, can go a long way to improve quality of life. For other natural solutions to mend acid reflex symptoms, be sure to download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxremedy.com today!

Acid reflux disease can be very harmful to your body, possibly causing long-term effects. Stomach acid in your throat and esophagus is dangerous and can cause inflammation. Acid reflux can affect you physically, mentally and socially. Heartburn, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, sore throat, chest pain, hoarseness and nausea are just some of the symptoms of acid reflux that can leave you in significant pain.

Humans need the right balance of foods in order to be healthy. A heavily acidic diet is not good and can cause acid reflux, stress and imbalance. The kinds of food you eat are closely linked to acid reflux.

A balanced diet should include foods that are alkaline and acidic. Alkaline foods are foods with a pH above seven. Naturally, human blood is just slightly acidic. Acidic foods are considered those with pH levels below seven. Having a seven pH is neutral. A high presence of hydrogen in your body increases your risk of having acid reflux. When you eat acid forming foods, hydrogen levels increase.

Most people think that acid forming foods are all acidic tasting. This is not true. Many acidic tasting foods, once combined with gastric acids are more alkaline than acid. The nutrients that come from some of these foods don’t always have the effects you think they will. If you are unsure about which foods are acid forming, make sure to eat a balanced diet that is full of vegetables. Vegetables have a lot of minerals and encourage alkaline formation within the body. Minerals are essential to the body but can’t be absorbed properly when acid levels are high.

Some vegetables that will help to fight acid reflux are: cucumbers, pumpkins, lettuce, eggplant, and all kinds of greens. In each meal make sure to eat a protein, fruit/vegetable and carbohydrates. It is okay to eat most foods in moderation. Foods that are generally bad for reflux are fatty foods. Fatty foods stress the digestive process and increase the likelihood of reflux.

Since acid reflux can be triggered by different foods, keep a record of the foods you eat every day. When reflux happens, write down the food that may have caused it and try to eliminate that food from your diet. Find a substitute for that food item that has similar nutritional value. Make sure to incorporate water into your diet. Water counteracts acid and has a diluting effect. Drink water after a heavy meal when the stomach is producing acid for digestion.

Leaving acid reflux untreated is very risky. If you ignore your acid reflux, this can lead to more harmful conditions. Understanding how diet can affect acid reflux should be your first priority. Doing something about it is the next step. Be proactive about your diet and make the necessary changes to help you control your acid reflux symptoms.

If you would like to find out more information about the types of food that can help you to prevent acid reflux, review The Reflux Remedy Report today.